Traverse City Central, Kingsley Win District Titles, Advance in Playoffs

On Friday night in Grand Traverse County, two local high school football programs secured district championships and advanced in the Michigan High School Athletic Association playoffs. Traverse City Central delivered a dramatic 16 to 14 upset over No. 2 ranked Muskegon to take the Division 2 district title, while Kingsley overwhelmed Traverse City St. Francis 57 to 6 to win the District 6 crown.

Central's victory is notable both for the opponent and for timing. The team followed a recent upset over crosstown rival Traverse City West and capped the weekend with a gutsy defensive performance that included a late successful stand to preserve the two point margin. The 16 to 14 result marks Central's first Division 2 district title since 2021, a measurable milestone for a program that has regained postseason traction this fall.

Kingsley continued a dominant season driven by a powerful offense. The 57 to 6 scoreline against Traverse City St. Francis reflects sustained scoring ability and depth, and it secures Kingsley a regional berth in the MHSAA playoffs. For Kingsley, the margin of victory reinforces the team profile heading into regionals and signals a potential matchup favoring high tempo offensive schemes.

Both results have immediate local implications. Advancing teams will host or travel to regional contests that draw increased attention from students, alumni and area residents. For families and local businesses, playoff weekends can translate to larger crowds at school events and spillover patronage for restaurants and retailers near game sites. For the schools, deeper playoff runs can boost fundraising, increase visibility for athletic programs and strengthen year over year recruitment of student athletes.

From a broader perspective, Central's district title ending a four year gap since 2021 suggests a positive trend for the program, while Kingsley's large margin of victory is consistent with a season characterized by offensive efficiency. Statistical details, game by game recaps, scoring summaries and implications for each team heading into regionals are available in the Traverse Ticker account, which covered both contests on Nov. 9, 2025.

The regionals will test both teams against tougher competition and provide a clearer picture of how far Grand Traverse County programs can advance in the MHSAA playoffs this season. Local supporters will be watching closely as schedules and opponents for the next round are confirmed.